Peking Temples as the Congregational Center and Their Fate (original) (raw)

Peking: Temples and City Life explores the multifaceted role of temples in shaping the social, cultural, and religious landscape of Peking from 1400 to the early 20th century. It examines the transformation of these institutions through significant historical shifts, including the establishment of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the rise of modernity, and the impact of various political regimes on temple life. The book critically highlights the decline of temples in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, addressing the balance between modernization and cultural preservation in contemporary Peking society.